Clean Up Crew TOO MANY???

[gaboy]

I have a 100 gallon tank, and about 18 damsels, I have had a very bad outbreak of diatom algae and was told to get a clean up crew. I went to the LFS, and they wanted $3.99 per turbo snail. I have found a place on the net where I can get 100 turbo snails and 100 small blue leg hermit crabs for $99.00 in a package. I don't know if this would be too much for my tank. I also have a 10 gallon quarantine tank, but I think my LFS is a rip off. If I buy this package deal would that be too much of a clean up crew?

 

[striker]

In my opinion that would be an overkill. 25-35 would sound better. I'm not sure how the turbo snails would do against the hermits. I had some bumble bee snails and my hermits went on a killing rampage and wiped them out. I have 3 mexican trochus snails that are too large for the hermits and do a great job of cleaning up my tank. If you get too many and the food supply isn't enough many will starve to death or might kill eachother. Try looking at some of the pkgs they offer at this site. That will give you more diversity and you can still get a great deal. I ordered from them before and it was great.

 

[clarkiiboi]

I think that sounds like alot to put in also. And my LFS sells turbo snails for 1.99 a piece, I havent checked out any online places yet, but then again I pay 2 bucks less than you at the LFS, thats crazy! Is there another LFS around?

 

[jeo]

I think I depends on how much live rock you have. I just put 25 snails and 25 hermits into my 75 gal with 100 lbs of live rock and it seems like a lot less than I expected. I think about 50-75 snails and 50-75 hermits would be a good amount for my tank, so use that as a gauge based on how much LR you have. If you 150 lbs in your tank than 100 snail and 100 hermits would be perfect, if you have 100 or less than it will probably be too much.

 

[sandy]

Interesting. My hermits have not touched a snail. I have bumble bee's, turbos, nerite, stombus, astralia (spell?). I do have 100lbs LR in a 50gal long.
Has your tank fully cycled? Some of the "brown" algae should leave with end-of cycle water changes and time. Also, are you using tap water or ro/di? If tap... test for phosphates.
I wouldn't put so many inverts in the tank at once until I knew that the water will not kill 'em. IMHO. Good luck.
Sandy